A skeptical left-liberal's blog, including skepticism about left-liberalism, but even more about other issues of politics. A skeptical look at Gnu Atheism, religion, social sciences, more. And me? I am who I am... more later...

September 28, 2011

#ArsenicGate updated

It's now clearer than ever that NASA's hyping of some alleged arsenic-based life several months ago (with arsenic allegedly replacing phosphorus) was a big PR hype by NASA, as this extended piece shows. See page 3 to get the details on NASA's PR blitz. On page 4, NASA tries to justify this:

Because NASA is dependent for funding on Congress, and therefore its
constituents, it needs to project an ongoing sense of relevance. But the
agency also needs to maintain its scientific credibility. The
controversy over GFAJ-1 demonstrates the risks inherent when a
scientific institution assumes a media role. NASA’s publicity blitz
created expectations that weren’t matched by the paper’s data, and this
vastly amplified the criticism that followed.

Dwayne Brown, the NASA spokesman, has said that the agency is
comfortable with how it handled the affair, particularly the use of the
term “extraterrestrial life.” In a story posted on the Embargo Watch
blog, he said, “It’s easy to play Monday morning quarterback. However,
the statement was accurate. The real issue is that the reporting world
has changed because of the Internet/bloggers/social media, etc. A ‘buzz’
term like ET will have anyone with a computer putting out anything they
want or feel. NASA didn’t hype anything—others did.”

I stand by what I first said about this, re Congressional funding. With the end of the shuttle, and Congressional GOPers in a budget-cutting mood, NASA needed a "splash." So, it created one.

And, while not all of the PR hype was directly or indirectly lead scientist Felisa Wolfe-Simon's fault, much of it was. I do feel sorry that NASA and the overseers of the research group she was in at the time have made her a scapegoat; but, she bought her ticket months before the official announcement.